more from Hilary Putnam

Single Idea 7613

[catalogued under 18. Thought / D. Concepts / 3. Ontology of Concepts / b. Concepts as abilities]

Full Idea

Concepts are (at least in part) abilities and not occurrences.

Gist of Idea

Concepts are (at least in part) abilities and not occurrences

Source

Hilary Putnam (Reason, Truth and History [1981], Ch.1)

Book Reference

Putnam,Hilary: 'Reason, Truth and History' [CUP 1998], p.21


A Reaction

This seems to be building on the idea that meaning is use, and also arises from a background of pragmatism. Perhaps a concept is an acquaintance with a node in platonic space? Lots of abilities aren't concepts, so what distinguishes the concepts?